Yash, who gained nationwide fame through KGF, is now working on his next film, Toxic, which recently began shooting. Since it’s his first project after KGF, expectations for Toxic are incredibly high. However, the movie has already become controversial.
Filming for Toxic is taking place in the HMT Plantation near the Karnataka border, a dense forested area where a large set has been constructed. Allegations have surfaced that hundreds of trees were cut down to make space for this set, sparking considerable backlash. Forest department officials inspected the area and noted that where thick vegetation once stood, only open land remains. Even Karnataka’s Forest Minister, Eshwar Khandre, personally visited the site to investigate. He is actively involved in understanding the extent of the deforestation, the number of trees cut, and whether government permission was obtained for these actions.
Satellite images reportedly show a vast difference in tree cover before and after the set’s construction. For deforestation in this area, government clearance is typically required, so the investigation is probing whether government officials approved the tree-cutting or if the film crew acted independently. Minister Khandre has warned that responsible parties will face consequences, and if the set is removed by the forest department, the producers could face significant financial losses.
